14 days in Australia Itinerary

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

On the 30th (Mon), have fun at Esplanade Lagoon Pool, take a memorable tour with Tours, and then take in the waterfront at The Jack Barnes Bicentennial Mangrove Boardwalk. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: hike along Esplanade Boardwalk, then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, and then kick back and relax at Palm Cove Beach.

To find reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Cairns visit planner .

Los Angeles, USA to Cairns is an approximately 19.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Los Angeles to Cairns is 18 hours. While traveling from Los Angeles, expect a bit warmer days and warmer nights in Cairns, ranging from highs of 88°F to lows of 73°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Tue) so you can take a bus to Port Douglas.

A holiday in Port Douglas balances an activity-filled getaway with plenty of opportunities to relax, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and bustling beach life.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Wed): take an exotic tour of a safari tour, see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, and then look for gifts at With Sugar. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: relax in the rural setting at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, then get to know the resident critters at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and then identify plant and animal life at Opal Reef.

To see reviews, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Port Douglas day trip planning website .

You can take a bus from Cairns to Port Douglas in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. Expect a daytime high around 88°F in December, and nighttime lows around 73°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu) early enough to travel to Melbourne.

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

When in Melbourne, make a side trip to see The Great Ocean Road in Torquay, approximately 1h 20 min away. There's much more to do: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, brush up on your military savvy at Shrine of Remembrance, soar above the sights with a balloon tour, and get to know the resident critters at Melbourne Zoo.

For reviews, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Melbourne trip planner .

Getting from Port Douglas to Melbourne by combination of shuttle and flight takes about 6.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Port Douglas in January: high temperatures in Melbourne hover around 81°F and lows are around 58°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Sydney.

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Sydney is known for parks, beaches, shopping, historic sites, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, take in the views from Sydney Harbour Bridge, kick back and relax at Manly Beach, and get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Sydney route planning app .

You can fly from Melbourne to Sydney in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Sydney when traveling from Melbourne in January, with lows around 68°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can travel back home.